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TIDINGS
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
August, 1999
VOLUME IV
ISSUE VIII
SOURCE OF BIRD ENTANGLEMENT PROBLEM DISCOVERED
For months we have been wondering where the birds injured by fishing line and hooks had come from. In July, we found out. Eight such birds were found by Nature Center staff, and the resultant controversy was considered by some to be justification for suspension of all steelhead stocking, work on the fish hatchery, and all Fishing in the City programs at Lake Menitt. A ban on fishing is still proposed.
A tour of the Alameda County 7th Street Pump Station along the channel from Lake Merritt to the Oakland Inner Harbor told the story. In five minutes we found more fishing line, lead weights, bobbers, lures etc. than had been found at the Lake in a whole year. Interviews with fly fisherman John Ryzanych and a county officer from the nearby Sheriffs Department filled in the details.
In recent months, poachers have been arrested while putting up a gill net across the entire opening of the pump station. Hand lines tied to the railing and left for hours or days are common. People have been observed "fishing" for birds by throwing lures and baited hooks on the grass to catch waterfowl. License sharing, violations of fishing regulations and other illegal activities have also been observed. Arrests by County officials and the State Warden have partially, buy not totally eliminated the situation.
The poaching and illegal fishing problem is seasonal. Most of it happens at night. It begins in the spring when bat rays (which spawn in the channel), anchovies, top smelt and other "bait fish" appear at the downstream side of the pump station. Drawn to the food source, the water sometimes boils with striped bass, some over 30 inches long. Steelhead trying to return to Lake Merritt from the sea have also been caught here. Many are prevented from passing the County facility by bars spaced every four inches across the channel. The bars are meant to protect the pumps, but they are left closed all year long, even when the pumps are not operating.
ESTUARY CHANNEL I PARK - PROBLEMS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
State Game Warden Sheree Christensen attended the meeting of the Institute Board of Directors in August, and had some eye opening things to say about past events along Estuary Park Channel. She reported arrests of people for removing shellfish for commercial sale in Chinatown, and the fact that these shellfish were badly contaminated with hepatitis and other pathogens. She reported that a Sheriffs deputy was shot there a few years ago, and most significantly, she reported that the run of striped bass this year has been the largest in more than a decade. That explains the increase in fishing (and illegal activities as described in last month's Tidings) this spring at the 7th Street pump station and downstream. On a recent walk along the Channel with Tribune editor Peggy Stinnett, the evidence of illegal and careless fishing was evident (see photo on other side). Sheree also described the "market fishing" attitude for fish, shellfish and even birds that is prevalent at the Channel. Deliberate fishing for birds has been described, and this (not legal fishing in Lake Merritt) is the likely source of the bird entanglement problem. Ms. Christensen graciously offered to provide a seminar to City Park Rangers on resource management regulations. something we hope the City Police Department will jump at.
What Needs To Be Done
This is a problem that can, that must, be eliminated. For starters, the City and County need to realize that they have a very major fishery here, one which needs to be managed not ignored. Once that is done, signs (in several Asian languages and English) must be permanently affixed to the concrete walls. These signs would spell out what is illegal, and the penalties for injuring birds or other protected fish and wildlife. Permanent trash cans must be provided for disposal of fishing line and other trash. And finally, must be increased. A new County Sheriffs office is within sight of the facility, and this should be the first line of protection. In addition, more visits by City police, park rangers, citizens and the state warden are warranted.
What Does Not Need To Be Done
It would be most unfortunate if a fishing ban at Lake Merritt were to be imposed, and the activities suspended by the State and City of Oakland were to become permanently disabled. IT WOULD NOT DO ANY GOOD. People who illegally set a gill net across the channel are not going to respond to a ban on sport fishing. Stopping the release of steelhead trout will not prevent hand line fishing for the striped bass which are going to show up no matter what the politicians do. Preventing law abiding citizens from fishing at Lake Merritt will not stop injured birds from showing up at the Nature Center.
The City Of Oakland can and should recognize this problem and take action. There is no need to prevent a fish hatchery. eliminate steelhead stocking or prevent kids from learning how to fish just because illegal activities are occurring at the 7th Street pump station. Let's address the real problem, and fix it.
THE WHAT IS IT QUIZ
The monument pictured in our last newsletter is a torpedo port from the USS Maine! According to an e-mail we received, it appears in a photo labeled "Jan. 1921...Lake Merritt Park." Back then it had three brass plaques identifying the structure, which still sits in Lakeside Park. Landmarks Preservation Board, this would seem to have historical significance: Would you be able to restore the plaques?
INSTITUTE CONTRACT
The City Council passed a resolution to renew the Clean Lake Contract on June 29th, but it has not yet been processed. We are continuing to clean the Lake and maintain the fountains.
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